I ordered an Axtell Duck.
I just got him, and as I've been working on bits and a routine for him for about a month, I'm still working on him and haven't shown him publicly yet...but I've been trying him out on my wife and kids.
VERY happy with him! Love the way he has a mouth lining (I have a Benny, and maybe it's because he's a children's puppet, or less expensive, he didn't..but I don't mind) that's going to help him last a long time, built like a tank and has tons of character! Also, when he's "dancing" (as my wife was highly amused by this last night while listening to Aaron Neville)you can push his chest and he can "shake his tail feather"....my wife couldn't stop laughing as the duck was lip syncing (sp?) and occasionall would turn around and his "tail feather" would shake and move in time with the music. My kids LOVE him! My little boy Noah (he's five) wanted me to sit with him on the couch (I had the duck on my arm)...and insisted he sit on the side of the duck so he could hold him like a stuffed animal (of course I let him). My 11 year old daughter adores him. At first I was a little put off by the size of the ducks body, as I worked with smaller puppets (a Puppet Planet puppet and a Bennie the Bird from Axtell) and felt like I was carrying around a boat with a head. But NOW, as I'm getting used to using a normal size vent puppet (which is what the duck really is) I absolutely love him! Now I've got to convince my wife to sew a vest for him (she's a great "maker of puppet clothes"!).
That's my "Puppet Critique" on the Axtell Duck. HIGHLY recommended!!!!
Thanks, Steve!!!!
Chris

Steve Axtell creates great character in all of his puppets. Playing around with him will really help develop his movements and personality. I like the idea of a lip-syncing, tail shaking, dancing duck. Sounds funny.

Oh, man, don't mention Venthaven!!!! I still feel sick I can't go this year...
I'm also a big fan of Tom's, and that's just from his site!
I'm really excited to get this as I've been working on the duck's "schtick" for a month..of course now that he's here his physical personality really is helping tweak out all the finer points.
Harris: I have NOT named him yet (most of my character's names don't come to me until the first time I perform them live..I know, it's crazy, but the name will jump right out there...it's happened many times). I did think about Donald, though, because of the material one could develop from his irritation with being "the other white meat", or the fact that Walt didn't sign him because of the "booty shaking" bit......
I sometimes wish the duck's body was smaller like yours, Tom, but I like his ability to compress his bill for funny faces, and the pushing the stomach to make his tail gyrate is so funny that even my wife (who I think has seen me rehearse and try out new stuff on her waaaay too much) can't help but laugh when I do it! However, I've modified my puppets before, so I may modify his "backside" and "wingspan" a bit. I'm also only 5'2" (with shoes on!) so he's like carrying a big pillow. I like it sometimes, and sometimes I don't. The jury's still out on that one. I was getting used to him, but compared to me he's huge! Overall, though, LOVE THIS DUCK! (There's got to be jokes I can make about the size thing...so there I go "leaning" again!)
Ok, now I'm on the hunt for a good vest. I like the idea of him being dressed well...at least for singing. I'm also thinking of putting a "handle" that matches the fabric so when I turn him around I can have more control of the "feather shaking"....
sooooo....Harris, my man! Is your mother in law in the mood to sew???
;)

In order of posts:
Actually Steve, I'll buy you lunch if I can pick your brain for some ideas on a school program I'm thinking about.

Chris, the Axtell duck sounds as if it offers plenty of manipulation options mine doesn't. By making use of those features and the flexibility of the face, you'll get some great visuals to create laughs. The fact that he's big can add to the comedy.

Thanks everyone for the great feedback!
Ok, no playing "operation" with the duck...even my wife says he's so big compared to me that it adds to the sight humor of it.
George: I like your question. The reason for the duck is that I've been working on a voice for a new character (the voice and personality I develop before I even choose the puppet, as it has to contrast with my own character and add something new that the other characters don't have)and that character and voice went best with a duck. When I opened the box and put the puppet on my arm, the voice went perfectly with him, so far so good.
And why not a chicken?
I've thought about chickens. In fact, I like the whole "shooting chickens out of cannons and other circus tricks" as made famous by a certain muppet and maybe someday I'll try it.
Also, my material comes directly from my own life. I have a great story about the game "duck, duck, goose" that I've wanted this character to tell (and develop a phobia from)....as well as a load of other material specifically developed even in the last month as the duck seemed the most plausable image for this character.

harrisInner circle
Harris Deutsch
8663 Posts

Posted: Apr 22, 2008 09:58 am

0

Chris...I like the idea of having something to go with a puppet prior to just buying another puppet.

Using stuff from our own lives, makes writing dialogue both easier and meaningful.

Connecting with our audiences happens through the magic of telling our story.

Of course the old "change the name and the story is told of us" applies.